The best birthday = O-P-R-A-H

I rolled out of bed at 2:55, having set my alarm for 3:00. I felt like I slept 10 hours because I was ready to go! (I had only slept 2.) Guess what time I arrived at Harpo Studios? 4:30 a.m. Not kidding. I really don't think I have ever purposely woken up at that time to do anything quite like this.

Long story short, the doors opened for us at 7-ish and we went through coat check and security check (mega security check, too) and then ate breakfast (given to us by Harpo Studios themselves). Even though we waited and waited, it wasn't a boring wait. It was the kind of wait where you just sit there looking at all the other people, seeing what they wore to the show, watching their enthusiasm, just really taking every bit of it in. And then about 8:30 they actually let us into the studio itself. Talk about amazing to set foot onto the Oprah set. It's just not explainable. Maybe I'm crazy, but it was just a dream come true for me.

So, being that I was literally the FIRST PERSON IN LINE, I thought I would get a front row seat. And while my name was called really early, we didn't get as grand of a seat as I had hoped, but really, anywhere in the studio is a good seat. It only sits 300 people and it's really not that big at all. (I did beg and plead saying it was my birthday and that just didn't get my anywhere. Boo.)

About 10 minutes before the start of the LIVE show, Oprah comes out. It was, as silly as this sounds, a surreal experience. I have loved and watched this woman on TV since I was 10. Like many of us, I just love and respect her so much. I hardly ever miss a show. Those who are closest to me know how much I adore this woman, so seeing her walk out made me light on my feet. It was actually Oprah that I was seeing with my own eyes and who was standing (at times) just a few inches away from me. It just didn't seem real!

She was beautiful. She wore a beautiful black and white striped skirt, which after seeing it on tv, it made her look larger than she was. And her shoes were gorgeous which were about 4 inch heels and she later told us that when Jessica Seinfeld was on her show, as a "thank you" she sent Oprah 21 pairs of heels. (Oh my goodness!!)

And then there was her hair and makeup. Her hair was just amazing. I am sure almost all it is a weave, but it's the most gorgeous weave ever. I just couldn't believe how beautiful that woman was and how magnificently she carried herself and how kind she was to everyone. She really really loved us and in between segments she would talk to the audience and at the end she took more time to talk to us and she whole-heartedly told us how thankful she was for us coming to Chicago to see her and how she wouldn't have been here for so many years without us (I mean, me . . . Val, hehe. You know, she was speaking directly to me that whole time). It was so incredibly fun and surreal.

Simon Cowell was the main guest and if you don't know who that is, watch American Idol, and you won't miss him. He comes across as a total arrogant jerk but he is really a man with a huge huge heart. I have always liked him and now I like him even more. One thing I really noticed about him was that during commercial breaks crew members would come up to him and pour him a new glass of water or powder buff his face and each time he genuinely thanked them by looking them in the eyes and saying "thank you very much". He doesn't have to do that, but he does. And it's a small gesture, but it's admirable, and one that I think says a lot about him.

If you saw the show, you saw that Simon was on to debut his newest prodigy, Leona Lewis. She is an absolute beauty from Great Britain whose voice sounds like a mix of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. She is phenomenal. And she is the sweetest. I think she and I would make really great friends :c) It was neat being one of the first to see her sing live on TV. And we got a copy of her CD, which was to be released today. Kinda cool. (At least we got something!) You can hear her beautiful song "Bleeding Love" ----> here. You must hear it. I have played it about 10 times already today. It's beautiful and it's even better in person.

Jamie Oliver was also on the show as well (what a CUTIE!) as well as the latest one kicked off of Oprah's new show, Carlana, from the Big Give. Simon also stuck around for the whole show, writing a check to a family in need for over $160,000 to pay off their mortgage so they can concentrate on the bills for their daughter's cancer treatments. We were all in tears.

Simon talked about how he never use to "give" anything and now that he is doing it, it's changing his life. It's molding him and changing him. Which warms my heart. I know how experiences, no matter how tough they are or easy they are, can change your life forever. Like for me, my 3 years of infertility and losing 3 babies . . . that changed my life forever and really has made me see life differently. Each of us are woken up in different ways, and learning to give (some of his 44 million dollars) has been Simon's wake-up and change.

Oh and I can't forget to mention the ventriloquist from America's Got Talent, Terry Fator. He and his band were on and it was just fantastic. Oprah loved him so much she asked them to come back later and perform again for her! (Which we got to see!)

What an amazing show it was. I loved seeing all the crew working behind the scenes and what Oprah and the guests did during commercials or while a clip was playing. I loved seeing how the show itself was decorated. I loved watching the 9 cameramen do their jobs. I loved watching the one photographer who shot all the still pictures and kept thinking to myself how I would absolutely love to have that job wondering how you go about getting that job. I'd move to Chicago in a heart beat to be The Oprah Show's photographer if she was looking for someone cool like myself. My favorite teacher from 3rd grade, Mrs. Sleeth, would be super proud of me is I were to get that job! :c)

We were surprised later with the opportunity to stay for a taping of an upcoming show with Kirstie Alley and Jamie Oliver (again) with a lunch given to us by the show, but we had to leave because Neil had to fly out of Indy at 8 that night. But at least I got to be a part of one show, and that one show was truly amazing and probably the best birthday gift I have ever ever had.

Happy Birthday to me ~ the Chicago way

I am actually going to post this entry without pictures because . . . well, because I'm just drained and super lazy this evening now that I'm home and back settled into reality of mommy hood in small town, USA. I. am. pooped.

So Chicago. Oh how I love that city.

There have been so many memorable moments in my life ranging from my first tractor ride at the age of 6 months to hanging out at my favorite bar in college, Tres Hombres, to of course, the birth of my children (even though I had a 31-hour labor with Maia). That said, some of the great memories of my life continue to be amazingly wonderful with this weekend ranking up there with the best. Not only because I got away on my birthday but because I have people in my life who really love me . . . a lot.

Before we even left on Friday I had received a dozen cards in the mail, 2 wonderfully sweet packages (Alexis and Patty!) and flowers (Natalie)! I took pictures of all, but like I said, I am l-a-z-y and t-i-r-e-d. But if you really need to know, hehe, the flowers are gorgeous (orange gerbera daisies with modern flair!), my package from Alexis was filled with goodies picked especially for me that I love and my package from Patty included the same Val-ness. So I left small town, USA feeling very loved. Thank you, friends!

I really didn't do too much but shop, but heck, what's wrong with that?! I got a dress for Heather's wedding, (which is gor-geous!) and I bought myself an outfit (which I wore to the greatest talk show on earth) with the nice little treat Neil's mom sent me to Chicago with in my wallet (thank you, Pat!!). And I hit some great deals at a store I had never heard of called Loehmann's which I could have spent hours upon hours in (and almost did). Do you all know of this store? It's so much like a TJ Maxx but ten hundred times better! And of course I hit the big 4-floor Borders on Michigan Avenue in search for a new copy of my favorite childhood book, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." and the Sassy book I talked about a little while back. I couldn't find the Sassy one, darn it. I have to special order it. Eh.

So get this! We got up on Saturday in search for a Starbucks when we began seeing dozens of people in green and then dozens upon dozens more. It didn't phase us except that they apparently cared enough to celebrate this Irish holiday and they were quite festive doing it. However, then we find ourselves suddenly in the middle of the St. Patrick's Day parade and the dyeing of the Chicago River. Seriously, I'm not kidding. We were in total oblivion but when we figured it out, it was really awesome to be caught in the middle of it.

What made my actual birthday day was seeing my dear friend, Katie, her husband, David, and their daughter, Rachel, whom I hadn't met yet and she is a year and a half old. I feel really bad about that. Like really bad. But thankfully Katie is such a forgiving friend and loves me truly. So I got to meet the little peach, and oh my goodness is she ever a peach! I feel so blessed to have finally had this opportunity. What great parents they are. And what a great birthday dinner it was to share with them.

The most exciting part, which I know some of you are dying to hear, is that today I did get to see a live taping of the Oprah Winfrey show. And it was . . . oh my goodness . . . spectacular. Did anyone see it?! Simon Cowell was on it which couldn't have made it any better of a show, and I'll happily tell all about it tomorrow because like I said already, I am pooped to the max. Getting up at 2:50 a.m. just for Oprah will do that to you. :c)

Bringing in my birthday Oprah-fied.

Well, I am not feeling all too spiffy with my headache (I had a nurse friend email me and she thinks I have a sinus infection!!) and I have a TON to do work-wise and me-wise before we leave for Chicago tomorrow evening for my birthday getaway!

I don't think I'm going to have time to do my last post before I leave, so I'm going to extend the Val Quiz event until next Wednesday the 19th. The last post will take place probably on Monday evening or Tuesday. Please stay tuned!

Phew! That's a lot of weight taken off my shoulders! Thanks for letting me extend this but it really is only to your advantage, right?!

So yeah, it's my birthday on Sunday. I turn 3-2. As each year passes, I'm having a harder and harder time dealing with it. I know 32 is young, but I just do NOT feel so young anymore. I felt good at 30 still. Lately I've just felt "eh". Maybe it's because of the 31 hours of labor I was in with Maia or the fact that I expend so much energy trying to make my tongue curl in a "U" like both my husband and son can do -- both of whom like to rub it in! :c)

I may get a rejuvenation for life on Monday. Guess where we're going, guess where we're going!? OPRAH! Yes, to see a taping of OPRAH!

And who is going to be on Oprah? Simon Cowell from American Idol!!! Ohmygoodness you just can't get it any better than this!! American Idol is one of my very favorite shows! Hubby and I cannot miss a single episode of it -- ever! (Did you see it last night? I'm sooooo glad David H. is gone!)

I've been trying to get tickets for Oprah for YEARS! So it's a great birthday present. Maybe the BEST birthday present ever. Neil decided he doesn't have to get me anything else even though it is a FREE gift that I, myself, took the time to get! :c) Oprah always talks about how being in her 50's is the best time of her life. Hopefully she'll make me feel not so bad about being in my 30's :c) I can't WAIT.

Have a great weekend, friends! I'm really looking forward to my time away in the Windy City! Thanks for attending my party all week -- I've had the greatest time!

*** update *** before we leave tomorrow, I'm going to the doctor for my headache. After specifically reading about sinus infections, I definitely think this is what it is and I need medications asap. I have to be up to par for Ms. Winfrey!

Most Charitable Celebrities in 2006

This is an interesting list and I thought I would share. Another confirmation as to why I love Oprah and Martha so much. :c) These women amaze me much more than they disappoint me.